Before speaking with Dodgers P Walker Buehler about LA's culture, Justin Verlander comparisons and a valuable lesson from his grandfather (33:39), Buster and Tim Kurkjian discuss Mike Trout's season-ending injury and how it affects his MVP chances, if Anthony Rizzo's injury kills Chicago's playoff hopes, Charlie Culberson's injury impact on the Braves and more (15:44). Plus, a minor league edition of "Cap Talk" with Todd Radom (41:22).
The Cubs, Brewers and Mets are all making a push to snag postseason spots in the Senior Circuit.
Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cubs have scored 46 runs against the Pirates in this three-game series -- the most for the Cubs in a three-game series in the modern era (since 1900). Previous mark was 44 against the Phillies, July 24-26, 1930. Hack Wilson set the record that year with 191 RBIs, but drove in just seven of the 44 runs.
Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo left Sunday's game against the Pirates with a turned ankle.
The Boston Red Sox are on track to pay a $13.05 million luxury tax for a season in which they are likely to miss the playoffs.
Kris Bryant and rookie Nico Hoerner each homered among three hits, and the Chicago Cubs went deep four times to set a club record with 237 home runs as they pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-1 on Saturday.
Gary Pressy, who began his career with the Cubs in 1987 and has played the organ at Wrigley Field for 2,679 consecutive games, will retire after this season.
Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras launched two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
The Pirates and Cubs played a game that has to be in the conversation for wildest of the year. Pittsburgh scored 4 in the first and then immediately gave the lead up in the bottom half. Chicago put up 17 runs over the first five innings thanks to 3 separate 5+ run frames — and it took 3 hours just to get to the top of the sixth at Wrigley.
Manager Joe Maddon pushed back on any notion his Cubs are playing uninspired baseball but admits they might be playing tight.
Watch Nico Hoerner discuss making his Wrigley Field debut on Friday.
Buster speaks with Karl Ravech about the rash of injuries facing the Yankees and what it means for the return of Giancarlo Stanton (11:00). They also explain why no teams should want to face the A's or Rays in the postseason. Then, Jessica Mendoza previews this weekend's Dodgers/Mets series and also lends her insights on the Noah Syndergaard/Wilson Ramos situation (30:56). Plus, Rena Banena's Bleacher Tweets (42:13).
With Chicago struggling to hold on to a spot in the playoffs, last season's shakiest starter has emerged as the team's rotation rock.
Watch Anthony Rizzo discuss leading off in the Cubs win over the Padres on Thursday. He'll be at the top again on Friday.
Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild-card spot.
Watch Cole Hamels discuss the Cubs loss to the Padres and their hopes to return to the playoffs.
Rookie Chris Paddack pitched six brilliant innings and the San Diego beat the Cubs 4-0 Wednesday night, dropping Chicago into a tie with Milwaukee for the second NL wild-card spot.
Watch Ben Zobrist discuss his second throwing error in as many days in the Cubs loss to the Padres on Tuesday.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 83 | 66 | .557 | - | L2 |
| Chicago | 81 | 68 | .544 | 2 | W4 |
| Milwaukee | 80 | 69 | .537 | 3 | W2 |
| Cincinnati | 70 | 80 | .467 | 13.5 | W1 |
| Pittsburgh | 65 | 85 | .433 | 18.5 | L3 |
